Fastening device for gas-main sweat plugs



Aug. 16, 1927. 1,639,150

E. SCHNEIDER FASTENING DEVICE FOR GAS MAIN SWEAT PLUGS Fi1eMarcn 15, 1922 Patented Aug. 16, 1927.

* UNITED STATES *PATENT OFFICE.

EDV/ARD SCHNEIDER, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

FASTENING- DEVIE FOR GAS-MAIN SWEAT PLUGS.

Application ledMarch 13, 192.2. Serial No. 543,297.

main so that gas cannot be ta ed from the main at this point and diverted from passing through the meter. p

Another object is to provide a pair of hinged members adapted to surround the end of the T and the plug screwed therein with an annular groove adapted to iit around the beadof the T to prevent removal of the device when the members are held together.

A. still further object is to form the members with rectangular notches in the faces thereof through which the plug is adapted to be passed to hold the device innormally upright position.

The full objects and advantages of my invention will appear in connection with the detailed description thereof and are particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings illustrating the application of my invention in one form Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a gas main showing the sweat plug with my invent-ion attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a. side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1.

In the connecting ofthe gas meter and service to gas mains the pipe isrun along the ground which enters the building through the basement thereof shortly above the floor. Vhere this pipe comes into the building a riser is attached on which the meter is set. [In order to drain the moisture and other condensation which mayv collect within the system a sweat plug is screwed into the T connecting the main and the riser. It is very frequently the case that unscrupulous people will unscrew the plug and tap gas off from the main at the T on which the riser is placed thereby diverting the gas from passing through the meter and utilizing the commodity ofV the gas company without cost. My invention prevents the theft of gas in .this manner by locking the sweat plug in place so that the same cannot be removed without breaking the seal attached thereto. y

In the drawings I have shown a hori` facing upwardly which T has screwed into it a riser '13 on which the gas meter not shown in the drawings is usually positioned. An ordinary plug 14 is screwed into the other branch of T12 and'serves as the sweat plug for the system to be used for draining placed together the same occupy the relative positions shown in Figure 2. Each of these members is further provided with va rectangular notch 20 formed on the face of the same which is adapted to fit over the protruding end of a plug 14 so as to firmly hold the parts in upright position when the device is in place as indicated. Y

For fasteningthe device in place as indicated the members 15 and'16 are formed with leaves 21 and 22 cast integral there-- with, which are riveted together at 23 to provide a hinge. Directly l opposite the leaves 22 and 21 I form the same with two lugs 24 and 25 having registering holes 26 and 27 directly passing through the same. lVhen the device is assembled a seal such as indicated at 29 having a wire 30 connected therewith may be used for sealing and securing the ends of said' members 15 and 16 together by .passing said wire through the holes 26 and 27 and then through the body of the seal proper so that the said wire may tightly draw together lugs 24 and 25 and hold the parts from movement.

It can readily be comprehended that when the device is applied the same cannot be removed without breaking the seal. As the plug 14 or either of these members arecaused to rotate the groove 18 is caused to bear upon bead'19 whichl will tend to spread the members 15 and 16 apart and to break the sea-l, or to entirely arrest the movement of the same. If, on the other hand, the plug 14 is suiiiciently forced. into the T 12 and they members 15 and 16 turned' relative to the v plug then the said members are caused to spread apart due to the formation of the notches 2O and 'the relation of the saine to the end ot the said plug. It can theretor be seen that irregardless of the manner ot nianipulation, the plug la cannot. be removed :trom the l l2 when my invention is applied thereto Without breakage of the seal 29.

The advantages of my invention are mani- ;t'est. rIhe device is extremely simple in construc-tion and is absolutely positive vin aetion so that the removal of the siveat plug from the gas main is effectively prevented. yIhe device remains in an upright position at all times so that the reader or' the meter can always inspect the seal to see that the saine has not been broken or tampered With.

In accordance With theA patent statutes l have described the principles of operation oit my invention, together with the apparatus Which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the construction shown is only illustrative and that. the invention can be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those above set forth Within the scope oit the following claims.

,means comprising` a pairof sections hingedly connected together and formed With an annular portion and a baeli portion, a

groove positioned along the interior of said annular portion adapted to engage said bead, and notches formed in said back portions through which t-he head of said plug may be projected and means tor securing said sections together.

2. In combination with a T having a bead and a plug formed With a squarehead screwed therein, enclosing means eoniprising a. pair of sections hingedly connected together and' formed with an annular portion and a back portion, said sections being open at their sides opposite the back portion, a groove positioned along the interior ot said annular portion adapted to engage said bead, kand angular notches formed in said back portions through Which the head ot said plug may be projected and means toi' securing said sections together.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EDVARD SCHNEIDER. 

